Start here · Essential guide
Model Ship Finishes: Paint, Stain and Varnish
How to choose and apply model ship finishes: acrylic and enamel paints, wood stains, oils and varnishes, plus sheen, sealing and weathering tips.
Finishing and Display
Finishing and Display
Paint, varnish, waterlines, decals, crew figures, ratlines, stands, display cases and dioramas.
How to Mask and Paint a Straight Waterline on a Model Ship
How to mark, mask and paint a straight waterline on a model ship: levelling the hull, scribing the line, taping, preventing bleed and boot topping.
How to Tie Ratlines on a Model Ship
Step-by-step guide to tying ratlines on a model ship: clove hitches, spacing by scale, templates, keeping lines level and fixing knots without stiffness.
Making a Model Ship Stand: Cradles, Pedestals and Keel Mounts
How to make a model ship stand: shaped cradles, brass pedestals and keel blocks, choosing baseboard wood, placing mounts and fixing the hull securely.
Model Boat Crew Figures
Choosing model boat crew figures: scale and height charts, resin, metal and 3D-printed options, painting, posing and fixing figures to RC and static boats.
Model Boat Transfers and Decals
How to apply model boat transfers and decals: water-slide vs rub-down vs vinyl, setting solutions, avoiding silvering, sealing and making your own.
Model Ship Dioramas: Resin Seas and Scale Dockyards
How to build model ship dioramas: casting epoxy resin seas, sculpting waves and wakes, U-boat scenes, and scale dockyards, slipways and quaysides.
Model Ship Display Cases: Sizes, Materials and DIY Builds
How to size, choose and build a model ship display case: glass vs acrylic, wood bases, clearance, dust sealing, lighting and DIY construction steps.
Wooden Model Sailing Ship Parts and Fittings
A guide to wooden model sailing ship parts and fittings: blocks, deadeyes, cannons, anchors and deck fittings, with tips on upgrading and blackening brass.